Methods for formation of antenna array from sub-arrays

ABSTRACT

An antenna array system comprises a plurality of antenna elements arranged in an antenna array in a geometric shape. The antenna array system further includes a first sub-array that forms an interior of the antenna array and a second sub-array that forms an exterior of the antenna array. In addition, the first sub-array is a subset of the second sub-array. A number of antenna elements in the first sub-array is greater than a number of antenna elements in the second sub-array. The antenna array system determines an exact satellite location of a satellite within a solid angle of ambiguity using a first virtual pattern and a second virtual pattern.

This Application is a Division of application Ser. No. 16/557,118 filedon Aug. 30, 2019. The entire contents of these applications areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to wireless communication. Morespecifically, the invention relates to using an antenna system toreceive and process wireless communication signals transmitted fromsatellites.

Background Art

A growing number of broadband satellite constellations are beinglaunched to support communication networks around the world, even in themost remote field environments. Remote field environments often haveminimal or no satellite networking infrastructure to interact with thesesatellite constellation. Accordingly, a satellite communication terminalthat communicates with satellites in orbit and that established andmaintains a local network on the ground may be beneficial usersoperating in or travelling across the field environment. Furthermore, asatellite communication terminal that provides access to the internet, acloud computing platform, a sensor network, or a monitoring system maybe beneficial or even essential to the user.

Antenna arrays are often used to communicate with remote objects such assatellites. Traditional antenna arrays are formed as a collection ofantenna elements which are combined at Radio Frequency (RF) uponadjustments in their relative phase values. The adjustment of phasevalues provides the means to steer the antenna beam in a direction ofinterest. These traditional structures rely on: (1) a single receivepath for frequency down-conversion and base-band processing of thereceived signal (upon combining at the RF), and (2) a single transmitpath for base-band processing and frequency up-conversion of thetransmit signal. These traditional approaches are too rigid and cannoteasily handle requirements such as: “acquisition and tracking of asatellite”, “soft handoff in transition from one satellite to anotherone”, “realize potential gains due to maximum ratio combining of signalscorresponding to different segments of the antenna aperture”, “reducingthe interference caused by a neighboring satellite”, and “compensatingfor low isolation between Right Hand Circular (RHC) and Left HandCircular (LHC) polarizations caused by an imbalance in themagnitude/phase of the vertical and horizontal linear polarizations”.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to anantenna array system comprises a plurality of antenna elements arrangedin an antenna array in a geometric shape. The antenna array systemfurther includes a first sub-array that forms an interior of the antennaarray and a second sub-array that forms an exterior of the antennaarray. In addition, the first sub-array is a subset of the secondsub-array. A number of antenna elements in the first sub-array isgreater than a number of antenna elements in the second sub-array. Theantenna array system determines an exact satellite location of asatellite within a solid angle of ambiguity using a first virtualpattern and a second virtual pattern.

In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an antennaarray system comprises a plurality of antenna elements arranged in anantenna array in a geometric shape. The antenna array system furtherincludes a first sub-array that forms an interior of the antenna arrayand a second sub-array that forms an exterior of the antenna array. Inaddition, the first sub-array is a subset of the second sub-array. Anumber of antenna elements in the first sub-array is greater than anumber of antenna elements in the second sub-array. The antenna arraysystem tracks a moving satellite.

In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an antennaarray system comprise a plurality of antenna elements arranged in anantenna array in a geometric shape. The antenna array system furtherincludes a first sub-array that forms an interior of the antenna arrayand a second sub-array that forms an exterior of the antenna array. Inaddition, the first sub-array is a subset of the second sub-array. Anumber of antenna elements in the first sub-array is greater than anumber of antenna elements in the second sub-array. The antenna arraysystem is used to perform a soft hand-off between an outgoing satelliteleaving an area with line-of-sight connection to the antenna arraysystem and an incoming satellite entering the area with line-of-sightconnection to the antenna array system.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1J show satellite communication systems in field environments,in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 2A-2F show a satellite communication terminal, a satelliteantenna, a satellite communication terminal-cloud configuration, and aprocessing platform, in accordance with one or more embodiments of theinvention.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate an antenna array divided into two sub-arrays inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 3D-3H illustrate using a hierarchical structure to reducecomplexity in the formation of the weighted sum required for beamformingin different methods in accordance with one or more embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates determination of a first virtual pattern inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates determination of a second virtual pattern inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6A is a flowchart that describes the steps for determining theexact location of a satellite within a solid angle of ambiguity inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6B is an example of a lookup table used for detecting the angle ofincident signals in accordance with one or more embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 6C is a flowchart that describes the steps for tracking a movingsatellite in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate soft hand-off in the antenna with two or moresub-arrays involving an outgoing satellite and an incoming satellite inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 7C-7D illustrate non-uniform and clustered structure for anauxiliary sub-array in accordance with one or more embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart describing methods for managing a satellitecommunication terminal in a field environment, in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9 shows a computing system in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described in detailwith reference to the accompanying figures Like elements in the variousfigures are denoted by like reference numerals for consistency. Likeelements may not be labeled in all figures for the sake of simplicity.

In the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a morethorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well-known featureshave not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicatingthe description.

Throughout the application, ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third,etc.) may be used as an adjective for an element (i.e., any noun in theapplication). The use of ordinal numbers does not imply or create aparticular ordering of the elements or limit any element to being only asingle element unless expressly disclosed, such as by the use of theterms “before,” “after,” “single,” and other such terminology. Rather,the use of ordinal numbers is to distinguish between the elements. Byway of an example, a first element is distinct from a second element,and the first element may encompass more than one element and succeed(or precede) the second element in an ordering of elements.

In the following description of FIGS. 1A-9, any component described withregard to a figure, in various embodiments of the invention, may beequivalent to one or more like-named components described with regard toany other figure. For brevity, descriptions of these components will notbe repeated with regard to each figure. Thus, each and every embodimentof the components of each figure is incorporated by reference andassumed to be optionally present within every other figure having one ormore like-named components. Additionally, in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention, any description of the components of afigure is to be interpreted as an optional embodiment which may beimplemented in addition to, in conjunction with, or in place of theembodiments described with regard to a corresponding like-namedcomponent in any other figure.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a horizontal beam” includes referenceto one or more of such beams.

Terms such as “approximately,” “substantially,” etc., mean that therecited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achievedexactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example,tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations andother factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amountsthat do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended toprovide.

It is to be understood that, one or more of the steps shown in theflowcharts may be omitted, repeated, and/or performed in a differentorder than the order shown. Accordingly, the scope of the inventionshould not be considered limited to the specific arrangement of stepsshown in the flowcharts.

Although multiply dependent claims are not introduced, it would beapparent to one of ordinary skill that the subject matter of thedependent claims of one or more embodiments may be combined with otherdependent claims.

In general, one or more embodiments are directed to techniques ofgrouping the antenna elements forming the array and thereby dividedamong sub-arrays, and each sub-array relies on its dedicated receivechain (for receiver arrays) or transmit chain (for transmitter arrays).By adjusting the relative complex gains between the signalscorresponding to sub-arrays, many of the shortcomings of traditionalapproaches mentioned earlier are remedied. By adjusting the relativecomplex gains of the sub-arrays, an effect equivalent to a virtualantenna pattern is created, and multiple such virtual patterns may besimultaneously formed and measured at the base-band. These additionalmeasurements will be used in various embodiments, for example tofacilitate acquisition/tracking or to improveSignal-to-Interference-plus Noise Ratio (SINR).

Embodiments of the invention may be used in any field environment,including commercial, industrial, residential and natural environmentsof any size. Further, the communication network supported by thesatellite communication terminal applies to any type of communication orexchange of information (e.g., voice, text, video, multimedia, sensor,or monitoring data).

FIGS. 1A-1J show satellite communication systems in field environments,in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

In one or more embodiments exemplified by FIG. 1A, a field environment100 includes a satellite communication system comprising a monitoringsystem 110 and a satellite communication terminal 119. The fieldenvironment 100 may be any type of environment (e.g., an outdoorenvironment, an oil and gas facility, an area where environmentalmonitoring is performed, a national park, a remote location separatedfrom networking infrastructure, a disaster site, a field hospital,etc.). A field environment 100 may also be an indoor environment (e.g.,a warehouse, a school, a hospital, a prison, etc.). A field environment100 may also include a combination of indoor and outdoor environments(e.g., a campus of a public or private institution). Any environmentthat is equipped with a satellite communication terminal 119 or userdevices (e.g., smartphone 128, a laptop 130 shown in FIGS. 1D-1E) may beconsidered a field environment 100. Further, the local network is notlimited to a monitoring system 110, but may provide any appropriate dataservice to various connected devices.

The satellite communication terminal 119 connects a local network (i.e.,the monitoring system 110) in the field environment 100 with an externalnetwork or cloud computing platform (e.g., cloud 150) via a satellitebackhaul link 144 to a satellite 145. The satellite 145 may be one ormore geostationary or non-geostationary satellites (e.g., Low EarthOrbit (LEO) satellite) with a satellite radio transceiver. A fieldenvironment 100 anywhere on the planet may use the satellitecommunication terminal 119 to establish communications with the growingnumber of communication satellite constellations. The satellite 145 mayrelay communications with other satellites 145 or may directly relaycommunications to a satellite base station 146 connected to the cloud150 or cloud server 152.

Within the field environment 100, monitored assets 102, may be trackedor monitored by the monitoring system 110. Monitored assets 102 mayinclude stationary and/or moving assets. A moving asset 102 may be aperson, an animal, equipment (e.g., a forklift truck), goods, productsor other items, including luggage, shipments such as boxes orcontainers, etc. A stationary asset may be anything equipped withsensors to monitor function and/or environmental conditions. Examplesfor such stationary assets include weather stations, pumps, pipelines,refrigeration equipment, air quality sensors, etc. The monitoring may beperformed by a monitoring device 104 that is carried by the monitoredasset 102 or that is attached or installed on the monitored asset 102.

In one or more embodiments, a monitored asset 102 may be controlled viathe monitoring system 110. A monitoring device 104 may interface withthe monitored asset 102 to, for example, activate or deactivatefunctions, switch modes, etc. If the monitoring device 104 is also usedfor sensing, a closed loop operation via the monitoring system 110 maybe implemented. Based on sensed conditions, the monitored asset may becontrolled in order to change the sensed conditions.

In one or more embodiments, an access point 112 functions as anintervening device that facilitates one or more broadband links 120and/or Internet of Things (IoT) links 106 between devices of the fieldenvironment 100. The access point 112 may be a permanent part of anestablished network infrastructure in the field environment 100 or atemporary installation to supplement the networking range, capacity, orcapabilities of the satellite communication terminal 119. The accesspoint 112 comprises multiple component and may further interface with ahub 118 (i.e., an intervening device that also supplements thenetworking range, capacity, or capabilities of the satellitecommunication terminal 119), which may perform processing of the datareceived from the monitored assets 102 via the access points 112. Thehub 118 may operate in conjunction with or independently from thesatellite communication terminal 119, as described below.

In one or more embodiments, data gathered from the monitored assets 102is uploaded to the cloud 150 and is made accessible to users via aprocessing platform described below with reference to FIG. 2F.Additionally, or alternatively, the data may also be locally accessiblevia the hub 118, satellite communication terminal 119, or via the accesspoint 112.

In one or more embodiments exemplified by FIG. 1B, an alternativeconfiguration of the satellite communication system does not include thehub 118. The satellite communication terminal 119 may have the computingcapacity to independently process all data and communications within thefield environment 100. For example, a short range network may be quicklyestablished by setting up the satellite communication terminal 119 and asingle access point 112. If the network grows to a size that exceeds theprocessing capability of the satellite communication terminal 119, a hub118 may be installed as an intervening device to supplement thenetworking range, capacity, or capabilities of the satellitecommunication terminal 119, as shown in FIG. 1A.

In one or more embodiments exemplified by FIG. 1C, an alternativeconfiguration of the satellite communication system includes multipleaccess points 112A, 112B. Each access point 112 may have a limited rangethat may depend on the transmission power of the access point 112, butalso on the transmission power of the monitoring devices 104 or otherdevices in the field environment 100. Accordingly, in order to extendthe communication network across larger field environments 100, multipleaccess points 112A, 112B may be deployed at different locations in theenvironment. FIG. 1C shows a primary access point 112A and two secondaryaccess points 112B. The primary access point 112A may directly interfacewith the satellite communication terminal 119. The secondary accesspoints 112B may interface with the primary access point 112A using abroadband link 120 and therefore indirectly interface with the satellitecommunication terminal 119. The broadband link 120 may be a 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet link, optical link, or any other appropriate wiredcommunication link without departing from the invention. Alternatively,the broadband link 120 may be part of a wireless local area network(WLAN) based on a Wi-Fi standard (e.g., an 802.11 standard), an Internetof Things (IoT) standard, or any other appropriate wirelesscommunication link without departing from the invention.

By using additional access points 112, distributed across the fieldenvironment 100, larger areas may thus be covered by the satellitecommunication system. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatvarious configurations of multiple access points 112 are feasiblewithout departing from the invention. For example, the satellitecommunication system may include any number of access points 112 tocover a field environment 100 of any size. For example, a daisy chainconfiguration of multiple access points 112 (i.e., tertiary accesspoints may interface with the secondary access points, analogous to howthe secondary access points interface with the primary access point) mayincrease the covered area further. In hybrid configurations, some accesspoints 112 may be daisy-chained, whereas other access points 112 maydirectly interface with a hub 118 or the satellite communicationterminal 119.

In one or more embodiments exemplified by FIG. 1D, an alternativeconfiguration of the satellite communication system includes userdevices. In one or more embodiments, the access point 112 is used toprovide a user access to the communication network via a broadband link120 to a smartphone 128 or laptop 130. Of course, the user devices mayalso connect directly to the satellite communication terminal 119 via abroadband link 120. Data that is provided by the monitoring devices 104and/or monitoring device data that has been previously collected,processed and/or stored by the satellite communication terminal 119 maybe obtained via a processing platform, described below with respect toFIG. 2F.

In one or more embodiments, a broadband link 120 may further be used tointerface additional devices with access points 112 of the satellitecommunication system. For example, a drone 117 may communicate with theaccess point 112 via the broadband link 120 to relay real-time images,sensor information (e.g., LIDAR data, spectroscopic data, radiationdata, survey information) to the communication network. The drone 117may be in contact with various access points 112 depending on thedrone's location in the field environment 100. The drone 117 may furthernot necessarily be in continuous contact with an access point 112 andmay, instead, operate autonomously and may only require periodic contactwith an access point 112. One or more drones 117 may be used to visuallyinspect the field environment 100. Multispectral cameras and/or mosaicphotography may be used to monitor environmental conditions and/oractivity in the field environment 100 using additional analyticssoftware installed in the access point 112, a hub 118, or the satellitecommunication terminal 119.

In one or more embodiments, other sensors 122 that rely on a broadbandlink 120 or IoT link 106 to the access points 112 may be part of thesatellite communication system as well. For example, cameras that areequipped with a Wi-Fi interface may be used to visually monitor certainareas of the field environment 100. Such cameras may include motiondetection to detect activities including expected or desired activity,but also unexpected activity, such as intrusions. Additionally, oralternatively, cameras may provide still photos, video clips or livevideos and/or alarms based on a detection of certain events in thevideos or photos. Other sensors 122 may perform environmentalmeasurements such as air temperature, humidity, or may be used tomonitor equipment such as pumps, storage tanks, pipelines, etc.

In one or more embodiments, peripheral sensors 124 may be used toacquire additional measurements that may not be obtainable by amonitoring device 104 or a user device. Any number of peripheral sensors124 may be used in conjunction with a monitoring device 104 or userdevice. A local sensor link 126 may transmit the measurements obtainedby the peripheral sensor 124 to the monitoring device 104 or the userdevice, which may relay these measurements to one of the access points112.

In one or more embodiments, other devices that rely on a broadband link120 or IoT link 106 to the access points 112 may be part of thesatellite communication system as well. The monitoring system is anon-limiting example of various different technologies connecting to asingle communications network. However, the broadband link 120 may beused to connect one or more user devices for any purpose. For example,the user devices may be used for voice over IP (VOIP) calls, videocalls, texting, general Internet access, intranet access, and/or for anyother data service).

In a non-limiting example, a smart phone 128 may connect via broadbandlink 120 to satellite communication terminal 119 and connect viasatellite backhaul link 144 and the cloud 150 to an external cellularnetwork to conduct a telephone call. Similarly, satellite communicationterminal 119 may connect two smart phones 128 within the fieldenvironment 100 to conduct a telephone call without the support of anexisting or external cellular network. Furthermore, the satellitecommunication terminal 119 may handle the transition of a telephone callto an external cellular network if one of the smart phones 128 leavesthe field environment 100 and enters the coverage range of the externalcellular network. While the above example is described with respect totelephone calls and an external cellular network, the invention is notlimited to this data service or type of external network. For example,any appropriate type of data service may be managed internally withinthe field environment 100 and/or externally with an external networkoutside of the field environment 100.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the access point 112 is atwo-tier access point equipped with a first tier broadband communicationinterface and a second tier narrowband communication interface. Thefirst tier broadband communication interface provides the broadband link120 and the second tier narrowband interface provides the IoT link 106.While the narrowband link may provide coverage of a comparatively largearea at a reduced data rate that may be particularly suitable formonitoring devices 104 and other sensors 122, the broadband link 120 mayprovide coverage of a comparatively smaller area at a higher data ratethat may be suitable to serve other devices such as laptops 130,smartphones 128, or other broadband equipment, including drones 117,cameras (not shown), etc. The broadband link 120 may further be used toestablish a mesh network with other access points 112, as previouslyshown in FIG. 1C. In one or more embodiments, the satellitecommunication system includes a three-tier network that, in addition tothe two tiers of the access point 112, includes a third tier formed bythe local sensor link 126, as previously described.

In one or more embodiments exemplified by FIG. 1E, the satellitecommunication terminal 119 may directly connect with the various devicesin the field environment 100 via broadband links 120 or IoT links 106.The satellite communication terminal 119 is a communications network ina box that may independently create and maintain a one-, two-, orthree-tier network described above. Intervening devices (e.g., an accesspoint 112 or a hub 118) merely supplement the networking range,capacity, or capabilities of the satellite communication terminal 119.

FIG. 1F shows an exemplary radio signal coverage of a satellitecommunication system comprising a satellite communication terminal 119connected to a single access point 112 by a wired broadband link 120. Abroadband coverage region of the access point 112, denoted by a dashedcircle, surrounds the access point 112. Within the broadband coverageregion, devices that require a broadband link 120 may be installed. Alarger narrowband low power coverage region of the access point 112,denoted by the solid circle, surrounds the access point 112. While lessdata may be transmitted using an IoT link 106 (i.e., the local sensorlink arrow), the IoT link 106 may require less power and may be feasibleover longer distances, in comparison to a broadband link 120. Forexample, a battery-powered device (e.g. a monitoring device 104) may usethe IoT link 106 rather than the broadband link 120 to conserve power.Those skilled in the art may appreciate that the areas that receivebroadband and narrowband coverage depend on various factors, includingthe transmission power of the components involved in data transmissions,the types of antennas being used, terrain features, etc. Thus, in one ormore embodiments, the local network within the field environment 100 maycomprise only wired communication links or a mixture of wired andwireless communication links.

FIG. 1G shows an alternative radio signal coverage of a satellitecommunication system comprising a satellite communication terminal 119connected to a single access point 112 by a wireless broadband link 120.A satellite communication terminal broadband coverage region, denoted bya dotted circle, surrounds the satellite communication terminal 119.Because the access point broadband coverage region and satellitecommunication terminal broadband coverage region overlap both devices,the access point 112 and satellite communication terminal 119 maysupport a wireless broadband link 120. Thus, in one or more embodiments,the local network within the field environment 100 may comprise onlywireless communication links.

FIG. 1H shows an exemplary radio signal coverage of a satellitecommunication system comprising a satellite communication terminal 119connected to a network of four access points 112. In the shownconfiguration, the access points 112 are spaced such that there issignificant overlap between the broadband coverage (dashed circles)provided by the different access points 122, but also between thenarrowband coverage (solid circles) provided by the different accesspoints 122. Using the set of access points 122, a coverage region 196 isentirely covered by narrowband signals of at least three access points.In one or more embodiments, overlap of narrowband coverage provided bymultiple access points 112 is desirable. Specifically, in a coverageregion 196 where a device receives narrowband coverage by at least threenarrowband signals (e.g., IoT signals), the signals of the device,received by at least three access points may be used to determine thelocation of the device, thus enabling, for example, location tracking ofthe device. The location of the device may be determined using timedifference of arrival (TDOA) methods. Accordingly, location trackingusing TDOA methods may be performed in the coverage region 196 in whichat least three access points may receive transmissions sent by thedevice. TDOA positioning may provide moderately accurate locationinformation (e.g. with an accuracy of approximately 30-75 m), althoughthe accuracy may deteriorate when the quality of the reception at one ormore of the access points 112 is poor. The measurement accuracy may,however, not be strongly affected by the presence of buildings andfoliage. Alternatively, received signal strength indication (RSSI)positioning may provide location information with limited accuracy,(frequently no more accurate than approximately 75 m), and may allowpositioning even under difficult conditions (e.g., when fewer than threeaccess points are available). Further, if equipped with a globalpositioning system (GPS) receiver, the device's location may bedetermined using the GPS receiver. GPS positioning does not rely on theexchange of signals with access points 112 and may thus be availableanywhere, even outside the coverage region 196, although powerrequirements may be significantly higher when relying on GPS. Further,GPS signals may be blocked by structures, foliage, etc. However, theaccuracy is typically higher than the accuracy of the TDOA and RSSImethods.

Accordingly, to enable energy efficient location determination incertain regions, access points 112 may be strategically placed to haveoverlapping coverage regions, thereby not requiring the use of powerconsuming GPS positioning. In regions where TDOA based location servicesare desired, a dense grid of access points with a high degree of overlapmay be installed to ensure that overlapping coverage is provided by atleast three access points, whereas a sparse grid of access points may beinstalled in other regions. In these other regions, less accurate RSSIpositioning may be used, or if an accurate location is required, GPSpositioning may be used.

FIG. 1I shows an exemplary radio signal coverage of a satellitecommunication system comprising a satellite communication terminal 119connected to a network of multiple daisy-chained access points 112A,112B. To cover large areas effectively, access points may need to bedeployed strategically to cover the field environment 100.

The configuration shown in FIG. 1I uses a primary access point 112A thatdirectly interfaces with the satellite communication terminal 119 andprovides an interface to the secondary access points 112B. Using thedaisy-chained set of access points 112A, 112B, a coverage region 198 isentirely covered by a narrowband signal (solid circles), while someareas are also covered by a broadband signal (dashed circles). In theexemplary configuration shown in FIG. 1I, the left part of the coverageregion 198 is covered by sparsely placed access points and the broadbandcoverage regions are non-overlapping. In contrast, the right part of thecoverage region 198 is covered by densely placed access points and thebroadband coverage is overlapping, thus establishing a contiguous regionwith broadband signal coverage. Those areas may, thus, serve differentpurposes. For example, the left part may be used to monitor sensors thatmerely require a narrowband communication interface (e.g., weathersensors or monitoring devices for assets that do not require TDOAtracking). In contrast, the right part may be used for a dronesurveillance that requires a continuous broadband signal. Those skilledin the art will appreciate that even though FIG. 1I shows the primaryaccess point 112A interfacing directly with the satellite communicationterminal 119, a hub 118 may be inserted as an intervening device to aiddata processing and routing communications within the extended coverageregion 198. Further, to provide coverage for even larger areas and/orfor larger numbers of connected devices, additional access points 112and/or additional hubs 118 may be deployed.

In one or more embodiments exemplified by FIG. 1J, the satellitecommunication system includes multiple network segments 192, 194. Eachof the network segments 192, 194, is equipped with a satellitecommunication terminal 119 and multiple access points 112, providingbroadband and/or narrowband network coverage. Both network segments mayoperate using the same communication protocols. Network segment A 192 isconfigured as a multitenant site (i.e., multiple customers are served bythe network segment). Network segment B 194 is configured as a singletenant site.

Consider, for example, a satellite communication system installed at aremote oilfield facility that is occupied by multiple companies (e.g.,an oil company and multiple oil and gas service companies). Assume thatall of the companies require a satellite communication network to sharedata and information. Accordingly, the companies agree to have a commonsatellite communication system installed by a satellite serviceprovider. Customer 1 is an oil company that owns the remote oilfieldfacility covered by network segment A and a headquarters covered bynetwork segment B. Management staff of customer 1 are distributed acrossvarious sites of the remote oilfield facility but still need tocommunicate with each other and with headquarters. Customers 2-4 aredifferent oil and gas service providers that operate different sites ofthe remote oilfield facility. Accordingly, network access betweencustomers may be regulated and authorized by broadband services of thesatellite communication terminal 119 to maintain confidentiality (e.g.firewalls) and track usage (e.g., monitor data caps) of and between thevarious customers. Broadband services are described below with respectto FIG. 2F.

The exemplary satellite communication system of FIG. 1J thus illustratesa multitenant, multisite satellite communication system, in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate that satellite communication systems are fully scalable.For example, satellite communication systems may include any number ofsites, any number of device, or any number of customers. Further,satellite communication systems, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the invention, may be globally distributed. For example,network segments A 192 and network segments B 194 may be on differentcontinents. Network segments or sites may grow arbitrarily large, withany number of access points and/or devices. However, eventually anetwork segment or site with numerous devices may become congested, orthe satellite communication terminal 119 of the network segment may beoverwhelmed by the incoming volume of data. In such a scenario, thenetwork segment may be split into two or more separate network segments,each with its own satellite communication terminal 119.

FIG. 2A shows a satellite communication terminal, in accordance with oneor more embodiments of the invention. The satellite communicationterminal 210 may be equipped with a mounting or attachment element thatis application specific. For example, the satellite communicationterminal 210 may be permanently or temporarily bolted to an equipment,installation, vehicle, or building in the field environment 100. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the satellite communicationterminal 210 is suitable for many applications and may thus be adaptedto include mounting elements as needed. The satellite communicationterminal 210 may further include several other components, each of whichis described below, implemented using hardware, software, or acombination of hardware and software.

The satellite communication terminal 210 comprises a satellite interface212 (i.e., modem) that manages communication over one or more satellitebackhaul links 144. The satellite interface 212 may control a satelliteantenna 213 in conjunction with a processor 216. Further, the satelliteinterface 212 may perform any necessary operations to filter, aggregate,compress, encrypt or otherwise process data that is sent or received(i.e., exchanged) over a satellite backhaul link 144. The satelliteantenna 213 creates and maintains one or more satellite backhaul links144 with one or more satellites 145. Various examples and embodiments ofthe satellite antenna 213 are described below with reference to FIGS.2B-2D.

The satellite communication terminal 210 comprises a broadband interface214 (i.e., modem) that manages communication over one or more broadbandlinks 120 in the field environment 100. The broadband interface 214 maycomprise one or more terminals to establish a wired broadband link 120in the field environment 100. The broadband interface 214 may controlone or more broadband antennas 215 in conjunction with a processor 216to establish a wireless broadband link 120 in the field environment 100.Further, the broadband interface 214 may perform any necessaryoperations to filter, aggregate, compress, encrypt or otherwise processdata that is sent or received (i.e., exchanged) over a broadband link120.

The broadband interface 214 may support mesh, point-to-point, andmulti-point connections. The broadband interface 214 may be based on aWi-Fi standard (e.g., 802.11 interface) using one or more radio bands(e.g., the 2.4 and/or 5 GHz radio bands), IoT standard, or any otherappropriate wireless communication interface without departing from theinvention. Alternatively, the broadband interface 214 may be a10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet interface, optical interface, or any otherappropriate wired communication interface without departing from theinvention.

The satellite communication terminal 210 comprises a processor 216 thatmay be part of a computing system that controls the satellitecommunication terminal 210, as described below with reference to FIG. 8.The processor 216, with associated memory and storage devices (notshown), controls the various components of the satellite communicationterminal 210. For example, the processor 216 may control a beamdirection of the satellite antenna 213, as described below with respectto FIGS. 2B-2D. Furthermore, the processor 216 may gather and processdata from one or more of the sensing devices 222 to control a beamdirection of the satellite antenna 213. The processor 216 may performbroadband services on data exchanged with a device in the fieldenvironment 100 over the broadband link 120 and the satellite backhaullink 144. Further, the processor 216 may provide access to the exchangedata to the device (e.g., via a processing platform 270 described belowwith reference to FIG. 2F).

The satellite communication terminal 210 comprises a Global PositioningSystem (GPS) interface 218 that manages GPS information. The GPSinterface 218 may control a GPS antenna 219 in conjunction with theprocessor 216. Further, the GPS interface 214 may perform any necessaryoperations to filter, aggregate, compress, encrypt or otherwise processdata that is received by GPS antenna 219. In other words, the GPSantenna and GPS interface may provide location information of thesatellite communication terminal 210 to the processor 216. The processormay use the location information to control the beam direction of thesatellite antenna 213, as described below with respect to FIG. 8. Whennot in use, the GPS interface 218 may be in a deep sleep mode orcompletely powered down.

The satellite communication terminal 210 may optionally comprise an IoTinterface 220 that manages communication over one or more IoT links 106in the field environment 100. The IoT interface 220 may comprise one ormore terminals to establish a wired IoT link 106 in the fieldenvironment 100. The IoT interface 220 may control an IoT radio antenna221 in conjunction with the processor 216. Further, the IoT interface220 may perform any necessary operations to filter, aggregate, compress,encrypt or otherwise process data that is sent or received (i.e.,exchanged) over an IoT link 106. The IoT radio antenna 221 creates andmaintains one or more wireless IoT links 106 with various IoT devices inthe field environment 100.

The IoT interface 220 may be configured to communicate with one or moreaccess points 112 or other devices (e.g., other sensors 122, asmartphone 128, or a laptop 130) in the field environment 100, using anIoT protocol such as LoRa. Communications may include, but are notlimited to, the sending/receiving of a time base from one or more accesspoints 112 or devices in the field environment 100, the receiving of aconfiguration, the receiving of a firmware, the sending/receiving ofdata, and/or the sending/receiving of device status data, such aserrors, battery level, etc. The activity of the IoT interface 220 may beoptimized to minimize power consumption. For example, the IoT interface220 may be in a deep sleep mode whenever no transmission of data isrequired.

The satellite communication terminal 210 may comprise one or moresensing devices 222 that obtain various information about the satellitecommunication terminal 210 (e.g., position, orientation, internaltemperature, ambient temperature, ambient pressure, altitude, humidity,etc.). These sensing devices 222 may include, but are not limited to adigital level, a magnetometer, an accelerometer, a thermometer, abarometer, an altimeter, a hygrometer, or any appropriate sensingdevice. The one or more sensing devices 222 may be used to determine thelocation of the satellite communication terminal 210 when other, morepower efficient, methods for determining the location (e.g., GPS, TDOA,and/or RSSI) are not available or the previously acquired location datais not sufficiently accurate. The one or more sensing devices 222 may beinterfaced with the processor 216 using digital and/or analog interfacesand may have a wired, wireless, optical, or any appropriate interface tothe satellite communication terminal 210. When not in use, the sensingdevice 222 may be in a deep sleep mode or completely powered down.

In one or more embodiments, the components of the satellitecommunication terminal 210 are battery powered. The battery 224 may be arechargeable or a non-rechargeable battery that may or may not bereplaceable. The battery 224 may be selected to power the components ofthe satellite communication terminal for a specified duration, e.g., formultiple months or years. If the battery 224 is rechargeable, apower/charge controller 228 may control the charging of the battery 224from optional solar cells 226 or other external power sources, such asinductively provided power. The power/charge controller 228 may furthercommunicate battery status information to the processor 216. Inaddition, the battery level may directly govern the operation of thesatellite communication terminal 210. For example, when a low batterylevel is detected, the communication frequency may be reduced, certainsensors may be deactivated, etc. In one or more embodiments, externalpower supplies (not shown) may be used if the satellite communicationterminal 210 is stationary.

The satellite communication terminal 210 comprises a control interface230 that may include analog or digital inputs/outputs, includingcommunication bus systems, and/or relays, motors, or any other equipmentthat may be used to control functions of the satellite communicationterminal 210. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the controlinterface may be any appropriate interface used to control any functionof the satellite communication terminal 210.

FIG. 2B shows a satellite communication terminal and satellite antenna,in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. Thesatellite antenna 213A may be a flat antenna that is oriented withrespect to the satellite communication terminal 210 by a hingingconnection on one edge. However, any appropriate hardware and electricalconnection between the satellite communication terminal 210 and thesatellite antenna 213 may be used. For example, the satellite antenna213 may be detachable with an independent stand and cables to exchangesignals and/or power with the satellite communication terminal 210.

In one or more embodiments, the satellite communication terminal 210 isconfigured for communications on the pause (COTP). In other words, thesatellite communication terminal 210 comprises a satellite antenna 213that maintains the satellite backhaul link 144 while the satellitecommunication terminal 210 is stationary (e.g., temporarily placed on aworksurface or permanently installed on a mounting surface). Forexample, a user may enter the field environment 100 and setup astationary workstation with a satellite communication terminal 210.

In one or more embodiments of a COTP satellite communication terminal210, the satellite antenna 213A is a flat antenna with a relativelyfixed beam direction. The beam direction of the satellite antenna 213may be defined as a direction of highest signal intensity, but is notlimited to this definition. For example, the beam direction may be anangular range with a minimum acceptable signal level (e.g., +/−20 degreeworking range). In one or more embodiments, the beam direction of thesatellite antenna 213A may be fixed by a radiation pattern inherent tothe physical components of the antenna (e.g., size, distribution, orphase offset of one or more antenna elements 213B).

In one or more embodiments, the satellite communication terminal 210 mayconnect with a satellite 145 in a geostationary orbit. By rotating thesatellite communication terminal 210 and adjusting the orientation ofthe satellite antenna 213A, the beam direction of the satellite antenna213A may be manually steered within a predetermined angular range of thegeostationary satellite 145. In this case, the satellite backhaul link144 may be established and maintained without further interaction untilthe user moves the satellite communication terminal 210.

FIG. 2C shows an exploded view of a satellite antenna, in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the invention. The satellitecommunication terminal 210 may include a flat satellite antenna 213Awith a plurality of antenna elements 213B. In one or more embodiments,the antenna elements 213B may be disposed in a regular array (e.g., arectilinear array), but the configuration of antenna elements 213B isnot limited to any particular regular or irregular pattern. Furthermore,the antenna elements 213B may be grouped or independently controlled toachieve any appropriate radiation profile, as discussed below in detailwith respect to FIGS. 3-7.

In one or more embodiments, the satellite communication terminal 210 isconfigured for communications on the move (COTM). In other words, thesatellite communication terminal 210 comprises an antenna 213 thatmaintains the satellite backhaul link 144 while the satellitecommunication terminal 210 is in motion. For example, a user travellingacross the field environment 100 may setup a mobile workstation (e.g.,in a car, boat, or airplane) with a satellite communication terminal210.

In one or more embodiments of a COTM satellite communication terminal210, the satellite antenna 213A is a flat antenna comprising a pluralityof antenna elements 213B that function as a phased antenna array. Thebeam direction of the satellite antenna 213A may be varied bymanipulating the collective radiation profile of the plurality ofantenna elements 213B (i.e., beam-forming). After aligning the beamdirection by the beam-forming, the satellite communication terminal 210may establish a satellite backhaul link 144 with a satellite 145 in ageostationary orbit. The satellite communication terminal 210 maintainsthe satellite backhaul link 144 by redirecting the beam direction totrack the stationary satellite 145 in the sky as the satellitecommunication terminal 210 moves around the field environment 100.

Alternatively, the satellite communication terminal 210 may establish asatellite backhaul link 144 with a satellite 145 in a non-geostationaryorbit. The satellite communication terminal 210 maintains the satellitebackhaul link 144 by redirecting the beam direction with beam-forming totrack the moving satellite 145 in the sky as the satellite communicationterminal 210 moves around the field environment 100. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that a beam-forming satellite antenna 213A maybe used for both COTP and COTM applications in conjunction with ageostationary or non-geostationary satellite 145.

FIG. 2D shows an exploded view of a satellite antenna, in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the invention. The satellitecommunication terminal 210 may include a satellite antenna 213C with aplurality of antenna elements 213B oriented in different directions. Inone or more embodiments, the satellite antenna 213C may comprise a baseand a cover to protect the antenna elements 213B from hostile conditions(e.g., broad temperature ranges, wind, rain, dust, insects andmechanical stress).

In one or more embodiments, the satellite antenna 213C may be used forboth COTP and COTM applications in conjunction with a geostationary ornon-geostationary satellite 145. The satellite interface 212 of thesatellite communication terminal 210 may automatically select one ormore antenna elements 213B of the plurality of antenna elements 213Bthat are optimally aligned with the target geostationary ornon-geostationary satellite 145. Furthermore, the satellite antenna 213Crequires minimal setup because the plurality of antenna elements 213Bmay be distributed to provide relatively uniform coverage in a widerange of directions, regardless of the orientation of the satellitecommunication terminal 210.

FIG. 2E shows a satellite communication terminal-cloud configuration, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. The satellitecommunication terminal-cloud configuration includes the satellitecommunication terminal 210, the cloud 240, and the user application 250.A processing platform 270, jointly executing on the satellitecommunication terminal 270 and in the cloud 240 in a distributed manner,provides back end-support for the various devices in the fieldenvironment 100, as further described with reference to FIG. 2F. A userapplication 250 may be relied upon by a user to access the processingplatform 270 via the satellite communication terminal 210 and/or via thecloud 240. Each of these components is subsequently described.

In one or more embodiments, services available through the processingplatform 270 may include providing/exchanging data between devices inthe field environment 100 or enabling the user to interact with thedevices in the field environment 100, etc. The processing platform 270may be accessed by a user using the user application 250, which may beexecuted on a computing device such as a smartphone 128 or a laptop 130.The user application 250 may provide a user interface that enables theuser to access the processing platform 270. The user application 250 mayinclude alert displays, status messages, data visualizationcapabilities, control and configuration capabilities (e.g., satelliteantenna positioning and orientation instructions described below withrespect to FIG. 8), but is not limited these functionalities. The userapplication 250 may further provide data entry fields to configure theservices performed by the processing platform 270 (e.g., settingauthorization parameters, validating authorization, etc.), specializedcontrol interfaces (e.g., to control a drone 117), voice over IP (VoIP)and/or push to talk interfaces and other communication interfaces thatare supported by the broadband links 120 provided by the access points112. Alternative implementations of the user application 250 may operateon other devices in the field environment (e.g., on an audio alertdevice, a laptop 130, or a monitored device 104).

Depending on whether the user application 250 accesses the processingplatform 270 via the satellite communication terminal 210 (i.e., part ofa local network in the field environment 100) or via the cloud 240(i.e., part of an external network connected to the cloud 240) the userapplication 250 may interface with the processing platform via the appservice 234 of the satellite communication terminal 210 or via the appservice 232 of the cloud 240. When a user is located in the fieldenvironment (e.g., directly connected to an access point 112 or thesatellite communication terminal 210), accessing the processing platform270 may be particularly low-latency because the interaction of theuser's device with the satellite communication terminal 210 is local.

The satellite communication terminal 210 includes a computing deviceconfigured to execute the app service 234 to interface with one or moreaccess points 112, the cloud 240, and the device that executes the userapplication 250. In one or more embodiments, the computing device of thesatellite communication terminal 210 may be an embedded system thatincludes all components of the computing device on a single printedcircuit board (PCB), or a system on a chip (SOC), i.e., an integratedcircuit (IC) that integrates all components of the computing device intoa single chip. The computing device may include one or more processorcores, associated memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM), cachememory, flash memory, etc.), one or more wired or wireless networkinterfaces (e.g., an Ethernet interface, an optical interface, a Wi-Fiinterface, a Bluetooth interface, a cellular interface, etc.), andinterfaces to storage devices, input and output devices, etc. Thecomputing device of the satellite communication terminal 210 may furtherinclude one or more storage device(s) (e.g., a hard disk, an opticaldrive such as a compact disk (CD) drive or digital versatile disk (DVD)drive, flash memory, etc.), and numerous other elements andfunctionalities. In one or more embodiments, the computing deviceincludes an operating system that may include functionality to executethe methods further described below. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the invention is not limited to the aforementionedconfiguration of the computing device of satellite communicationterminal 210.

The cloud 240, in accordance with one or more embodiments of theinvention, may be formed by multiple/many networked computing devices.These computing devices may be geographically and organizationallydistributed in any way. For example, some of these computing devices maybe located in a data center, whereas other such computing devices may beindividual physical or virtual servers. An exemplary computing system,as it may be used in the cloud 240, is shown in FIG. 9. One or more ofthe computing devices may host the processing platform 270, analogous tohow the processing platform 270 is hosted on the satellite communicationterminal 210. While the components of the processing platform 270 thatare executing on the satellite communication terminal 210 and that areexecuting on a computing device in the cloud 240 may operate separately,they are interconnected via the satellite backhaul link 144, thusenabling synchronization between these components. Accordingly, the sameinformation may be available, regardless of whether the user application250 connects via the satellite communication terminal 210 or via thecloud 240. Temporary discrepancies may exist though, e.g., during timeswhen the satellite backhaul link 144 is interrupted, and asynchronization is therefore unavailable. Further, because additionaldata processing may be performed in the cloud 240, additional data,resulting from the additional processing, may be available whenconnecting to the processing platform 270 via the cloud 240. Such datamay, however, also be available via the satellite communication terminal210, if synchronization via the satellite backhaul link 144 ismaintained. The cloud 240 may run multiple instances of the processingplatform 270 in order to support the load of many devices and/or manyusers. Depending on the configuration of the processing platform 270,incoming data (i.e., data received from a particular access point 112, aparticular device, a particular site, or a particular customer) may bedistributed between multiple instances, or may be consistently assignedto the same instance (e.g., by using a consistent hash ringconfiguration).

Those skilled in the art will recognize that other configurations thatdeviate from the configuration introduced in FIG. 2E may exist, withoutdeparting from the invention.

In one or more embodiments, a field environment 100 can onlyintermittently establish the satellite backhaul link 144 to thesatellite 145. Therefore, the processing platform 270 may solely executeon the satellite communication terminal 210. In such a scenario, thesatellite communication terminal 210 may be configured to temporarily“self-backhaul” (i.e., the satellite communication terminal 210 maycollect and consolidate data and may perform some or even all of theprocessing that would otherwise be performed in the cloud).

In one or more embodiments, the satellite communication terminal 210 maypartially or completely share one or more instances of the processingplatform 270 with a hub 118, an access point 112, or a device in thefield environment (e.g., a laptop 130).

All processing functionality, even functionally that would typically beprovided by the satellite communication terminal 210, may be provided inthe cloud 240. The configuration of the satellite communication system,with or without a hub 118, with or without access points 112, may betransparent (i.e., devices in the field environment 100 may operate inthe same manner, regardless of the presence of a hub 118, access point112, or reliable satellite backhaul link 114). Similarly, a user mayexperience the same satellite communication system, whether or not a hub118, access point 112, or reliable satellite backhaul link 114 ispresent.

FIG. 2F shows a processing platform, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the invention. In one or more embodiments, the processingplatform 270 is organized in layers. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that, any organization of services or operations executed bythe processing platform may be used and that the invention is notlimited to the following configuration. Further any services describedherein may be shared or distributed among one or more layers.

Core services 272 provide basic functionalities such as data storage,networking, and messaging.

Above the core services 272, the optional IoT services 274 provideservices specific to IoT networks, but that are not necessarily requiredin all applications. The IoT services 274 may include location services(e.g., GPS, TDOA or RSSI based), IoT network services, andconfigurations, etc.

Above the IoT services 274, the broadband services 276 provide servicesto manage broadband communication between a device in the fieldenvironment 100 (e.g., a monitoring device 104, an access point 112, asmartphone 128, or a laptop 130) and the connected network.

In one or more embodiments, broadband services 276 may include routing,switching, or authorizing the exchange of data. For example, broadbandservices 276 may comprise managing an authorization of the device or auser of the device to communicate within a local network connected tothe satellite communication terminal 210 or an external networkconnected to the satellite 145. Authorization may be based uponcredentials of the device or credentials of the user. Furthermore,authorization may control the ability of the device/user to exchangedata with other devices/users in the local network or the externalnetwork.

In one or more embodiments exemplified in FIG. 1J, a satellitecommunication terminal 119 may support a local network utilized bymultiple customers (e.g., Customers 1-4 in Network Site A 192). Thesatellite communication terminal 119 may authorize communication (e.g.,access to data or exchange of data) between multiple devices owned by asingle customer (e.g., Customer 1), but may prevent communicationbetween different customers (e.g., limit or entirely stop communicationbetween Customer 1 and Customers 2-4). Alternatively, authorization tocommunicate between different customers in Network Site A 192 may begranted if the different customers establish a mutual agreement with anowner/operator of the satellite communication terminal 119.

In one or more embodiments exemplified in FIG. 1J, the satellitecommunication terminal 119 in Network Site A 192 may be linked with anexternal network in Network Site B 194 (e.g., a remote site that may beaccessed via the satellite 145 and the satellite backhaul link 144).Network Site B 194 may be exclusively utilized by Customer 1 fromNetwork Site A 192. Accordingly, the satellite communication terminal119 in Network Site A 192 and/or Network Site B 194 may be configured toauthorize communication between all devices owned/operated by Customer 1in both the local network (Network Site A 192) and the external network(Network Site B 194).

In one or more embodiments, the satellite communication terminal 210 mayindependently authorize the device/user to communicate with the cloud240 or an external network such as the world wide web.

In one or more embodiments, the authorization may comprise a level ofservice within the local network connected to the satellitecommunication terminal or the external network connected to thesatellite. For example, the level of service may define one or moreformats of data (e.g., text data, voice data, video data) that thedevice/user is authorized to utilize. Furthermore, the level of servicemay define one or more bandwidths allocated to the device/user (e.g.,bandwidth limits, data caps). An allocated bandwidth may apply to allcommunication by the device/user; communication by the device/userwithin a specific network (e.g., the local network, the externalnetwork, or some combination of networks); communication within apredetermined time period, or any other appropriate metric to managebroadband communication facilitated by the satellite communicationterminal 210. Further still, the level of service may define the type ofnetwork connections the device/user is allowed to use for connectingwith a network (e.g., wireless link, wired link, broadband link, IoTlink, or a combination of links).

In one or more embodiments, the authorization configuration implementedby the broadband services 276 in the satellite communication terminal210 may be mirrored in the cloud 240, other satellite communicationterminals 210, a hub 118, or any other computing device.

Furthermore, broadband services 276 may further include general dataservices such as aggregating, filtering, fusing, compressing, encryptingdata, and the like.

The topmost layer includes application/environment-specific services272. In one or more embodiments directed to a field environment inhealthcare facility, the application/environment-specific services 272may include analysis of patient vital signs, a patient location trackinginterface, etc. In one or more embodiments directed to a fieldenvironment in oilfield facility, the application/environment-specificservices 272 may include pipeline operation analytics, equipmentcommand/control interfaces, sensor monitoring/analysis, etc. Otherapplication/environment-specific layers may be added, replaced, orremoved without departing from the invention.

The processing platform 270 is modular, allowing adaptation to manyapplications, depending on the services required by the fieldenvironment 100.

In one or more embodiments, the services of the processing platform 270may be available through the satellite communication terminal 210 and/orthrough the cloud 240. A synchronization may be performed between theservices executing in the cloud 240 and the services executing on thesatellite communication terminal 210, thus maintaining consistencybetween the satellite communication terminal 210 and the cloud 240. Aslong as a satellite backhaul link 144 is available, the data availablethrough the satellite communication terminal 210 and through the cloud340 may be identical.

However, if the satellite backhaul link 144 becomes temporarilyunavailable because of an unreliable or constrained data connection,data that is accumulated (i.e., buffered) on the satellite communicationterminal 210 may not be available through the cloud 240, and vice versa.A synchronization may be performed once the satellite backhaul link 144is restored, to update the cloud 240 and the satellite communicationterminal 210. Accordingly, consistent information (e.g., data, networkconfiguration, or authorization information) is available via satellitecommunication terminal 210 and cloud 240.

The conventional methods for beam arrays rely on a complex gain for eachantennal element to steer the antenna beam; a costly solution. Inaddition to hardware complexity and cost of complex gain components, themathematics of finding the correct values for the complex gains is toosophisticated. As a result, it is difficult to do real-time computationswithin the resource limited terminals. In addition, conventional arraystructures typically rely on a uniform placement of the antennaelements. The resulting symmetry causes unwanted lobes in the antennapatterns. In one or more embodiments, first, complex gain component isreplaced with a quantized set of phase values, typically {0′, 45′, 90′,135′ 180′, 225′, 270′, 315′} with a static gain which is used as atapering function to reduce the levels of grating lobes.

One or more embodiment may includes 3-bits phase shifters for eachantenna element. In another embodiment, 3-bits phase shifters for eachantenna element, plus the ability to bypass a subset of the antennas isused. Another embodiment partitions the set of antennas into severalsubsets, apply a discretized phase shifter for each antenna element,combines (RF combining) the signals from antenna elements within eachsubset, apply a complex gain to the combined RF signal corresponding toeach subset, and once again combines the resulting signals (RFcombining) prior to down-conversion. Another embodiment partitions theset of antennas into several subsets, use a discretized phase shifterfor each antenna element, combines (RF combining) the signals fromantenna elements within each subset, uses a separate receive chain(down-conversion, A/D) for each composite signal corresponding to eachsubset, processes (combines) the different base-band signals to optimizethe performance of the equivalent antenna array. Another embodimentpartitions the set of antennas into several subsets, apply a discretizedphase shifter for each antenna element, combines (RF combining) thesignals from antenna elements within each subset, down-coverts theresulting combined signals, apply a complex gain to the resultingdown-converted analog signal corresponding to each subset, combines theresulting weighted analog signals, e.g., using an operational amplifier,and then passes the result through Analog-to-Digital Conversion fordigital base-band processing.

Circular polarization for satellite connections is formed by adding thevertical and horizontal polarizations with 90′ relative phase shift. Inprior art, this 90′ phase shift is applied at the RF, creating anantenna with a single terminal. The shortcomings of the prior art, whichthis invention tackles, are as follows: (1) It is not possible todynamically change between RHC and LHC, (2) The coupling between RHC andLHC will be low because, in general, a RHC signal will be orthogonal toa LHC only if the incident wave propagates orthogonal to the antennasurface, and its vertical and horizontal signals have the samemagnitude. For example, consider a RHC array which is placed on the XYplane and its main beam is focused along the Z-axis. Then, if anincident LHC wave propagates along the Z axis, the RHC antenna arraywill not receive any signal from the incident LHC wave. In practice,antenna arrays are built to enable steering their beams, which means invast majority of scenarios encountered in practice, the conditions forperfect isolation between RHC and LHC, as explained in the earlierexample, will not be valid. For receiving arrays, this potentiallyresults in a large amount of interference from a nearby LHC satellite toleak into a RHC receiver array. Similarly, for a transmitting RHC arraywith a beam steered sideway, the array can radiate a significant LHCwave, causing unwanted interference, and potentially violating theunderlying regulatory requirements. (3) Traditional circularly polarizedantennas are designed (and set on the factory floor) to operate eitheras RHC, or LHC. It is desirable that the selection between RHC and LHCmay be still performed after the antenna has left the factory. One ormore embodiments disclosed herein solve these shortcomings; provide themeans to support multiple beams; provide the means to improve crosscoupling (leakage between RHC and LHC polarizations), and provide themeans to create the effect of virtual tilting of the antenna element.

Methods of one or more embodiments disclosed herein result in thefollowing benefits with respect to the prior art. (1) LHC vs. RHCselection is done at base-band, and the antenna can indeed listensimultaneously to one LHC and one RHC satellites. LHC vs. RHC selectionmay be also through combining two RF signals; first, an RF signal V isobtained by combining vertical polarizations from different antennaelements (upon adjusting their relative phase values), and an RF signalH is obtained by combining horizontal polarizations from differentantenna elements (upon adjusting their relative phase values). Then,signals V and H are each multiplied (in the RF domain, for example usinga vector modulator) by a complex gain to adjust their relative magnitudeand phase, the two resulting signals are combined, and the outcome isprocessed by a single baseband chain. (2) By measuring angles ofincident, separately over the horizontal and vertical polarizations andtheir variations over time, we can estimate the speed of satellite intwo directions (spanning the X-Y plane of earth surface), and therebymeasure the direction and speed of satellite with respect to the groundterminal. This helps in tracking the satellite.

In summary, using methods disclosed herein in conjunction with: (1)antenna elements with 2 or 4 terminals improves the RHC/LHC isolation,(2) antenna elements with 4 terminals creates the effect of virtualtilting, (3) antenna elements with 2 or 4 terminals improvessignal-to-noise ratio using maximum ratio combining, as well as cancelsthe effect of undesirable incoming signals (nulling interference).

One or more embodiments of the invention also discloses an alternativestructure wherein only a subset of antenna elements (auxiliarysub-array) are equipped with at least one additional terminal, and theadditional terminal in the antenna elements forming the auxiliary arrayare used to track the next satellite while listening to the current oneusing the entire array. In some embodiments, all antennas have at least2 terminals, a subset of antennas used for tracking the next satellitehave 3 or 4 terminals. In this configuration, all antennas elementscontributed to the formation of the primary beam, while the additionalterminal(s) in the subset of antenna elements forming the auxiliarysub-array are used for tracking the next satellite.

It is desirable to detect the next satellite to connect to, while havingan ongoing connection with a first satellite. Prior art is based onusing two arrays, one for serving the main satellite connection, and oneworking independently searching for the next satellite to connect to.One or more embodiments of the invention relies on an auxiliary arraycomposed of a small number of antenna elements, placed within the mainarray, to find the next satellite. These auxiliary antenna would listento a sync signal, or some other form of pilot, sent as part of thesatellite signaling, and use it to find the next satellite. Antennasforming the auxiliary array are placed in a manner that would improvethe search accuracy with a small complexity. In particular, geometricalsymmetries result in mistaking the correct direction with some of itssymmetrical images, same phenomenon that causes side-lobes (for example,an elevation angle may be mistaken for the same angle plus 90 degrees).

To handle this problem, one or more embodiments distribute the antennasforming the auxiliary array in a non-uniform manner throughout theantenna surface, which in a sense enables non-uniform spatial samplingof the antenna aperture. The signals from antenna elements in theauxiliary array, forming a vector V, are used as the argument of afunction ƒ(V) that maps the vector to the satellite direction forexample, use a lookup table for ƒ(.) and quantize the vector to point toentries within the table (each specifying a satellite direction). Notethat ƒ(.) indeed specifies what the beam for the main array should be toswitch to the second satellite. On the other hand, it is expensive toread the signal received by each element in the auxiliary array, as itwould normally require a receive chain composed of down-conversion &A/D. One possible solution would be to share a single receive chainamong all antenna elements and use a switch to select/record the antennaelements one-by-one. This naïve solution has two problems: (2) Differentantennas see different parts of the incoming pilot signal (as mentionedearlier, this would be a sync signal, or some other pilot sent as partof the satellite signaling). (2) Use of a switch to select a singleantenna would be complex in terms of hardware.

One or more embodiments disclose the following techniques to handlethese issues. (1) A selectable 0°/180° phase shifter is deployed foreach antenna element within the auxiliary array (use a switch for eachantenna to select the phase to be either 0, or 180's for each of theantennas)—this selection of phase should not be confused withbeam-steering, although in essence it does steer the beam of theauxiliary array. (2) Combine the phase-shifted signals from differentantennas at the RF. (2) A single receive chain is deployed to read thecombined signal, while the control circuitry adjust the 0°/180°selection switches in order to span through different combinationscorresponding to different coordinates of a Hadamard matrix for the0′/180′ phase shifts. Note that 0°/180° phase shifts result inmultiplying the signal from a given antenna element by +1/−1. Themotivation behind using the Hadamard matrix is that: (1) Effect ofmultiplication by the Hadamard matrix may be realized in the RF domainusing a simple circuitry. (2) Any orthogonal basis provides a completestatistical description of any vector signal contaminated in additiveGaussian noise. This means reading the result of the expansion on theHadamard basis is as effective as sampling/reading all the relevantcomponents, but, as mentioned earlier, sampling/reading using Hadamardmatrix is easy to implement. It follows that, reading the Hadamard basisprovides all the information one could gather by reading all the antennaelements. However, this alternative approach is much more complex as itrequires either using a separate receive chain for each antenna element,or using a complex 8×1 RF switch in conjunction with a single receivechain.

One or more embodiments include measuring angle of incident and itsvariations over time, in addition to measuring the Doppler frequencyshift, and using the measure the direction and speed of satellite withrespect to the ground terminal. This helps in tracking the satellite. Toprovide a higher degree of selectivity in measuring angle of incidentand its variations over time, methods of one or more embodiments changethe alignment of the antenna element by applying a different rotationangle to each element within the auxiliary array. In another embodiment,all the antenna elements are placed out of alignment (each antennaelement has its own rotation angle when placed on the array surface).This configuration results in randomizing the behaviors of differentantenna elements in their treatment of an incident circularly polarizedwave. Then, due to the fact that the signals from different antennaelements will be added (combined in the RF) to form the combinedreceived signal, an averaging effect occurs which reduces the varianceof variations for different directions of the incident wave. Note thatin any communication system, the worst case occurrence of anyundesirable phenomenon acts as the system bottleneck. For example,incident waves can experience very poor isolation between RHC and LHC ifarriving from certain directions. Averaging helps to balance the goodand the bad and thereby avoid bottlenecks. Position and orientation ofthe antenna elements may be optimized using known optimizationtechniques to improve the averaging effect, which in essence creates anErgodicity effect.

FIG. 3A shows an antenna array 302 with a plurality of antenna elements301 in a circular form, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe invention. In particular, FIG. 3A shows one example of anarrangement of satellite antenna elements for the satellite shown anddescribed above in FIG. 2C. The antenna array 302 is divided into afirst sub-array 304 and a second sub-array 306. The first sub-array 304and the second sub-array 306 are used to achieve different objectives inone or more embodiments of the invention, as explained with respect toFIGS. 4-7. As shown in FIG. 3A, the antenna arrays 302, 304, 306 arearranged in a circular geometrical shape. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the antenna arrays may be arranged in any suitablegeometric shape and are not limited to circular patterns. For example,the antenna arrays may be arranged in any polygonal shape (square,rectangle, triangle, rhombus, etc.) or any other suitable shape withoutdeparting from embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 3A shows an antenna array 302 with a plurality of antenna elements301 in a circular form, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe invention. In particular, FIG. 3A shows one example of anarrangement of satellite antenna elements for the satellite shown anddescribed above in FIG. 2C. The antenna array 302 is divided into afirst sub-array 304 and a second sub-array 306. The first sub-array 304and the second sub-array 306 are used to achieve different objectives inone or more embodiments of the invention, as explained with respect toFIGS. 4-7. As shown in FIG. 3A, the antenna arrays 302, 304, 306 arearranged in a circular geometrical shape. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the antenna arrays may be arranged in any suitablegeometric shape and are not limited to circular patterns. For example,the antenna arrays may be arranged in any polygonal shape (square,rectangle, triangle, rhombus, etc.) or any other suitable shape withoutdeparting from embodiments disclosed herein.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the second subarray 306 is a subset of thefirst subarray 304. However, in one or more embodiments, the secondsub-array may be larger than the first subarray, and any suitable numberof antenna elements may be included in both the first and secondsubarray without departing from embodiments disclosed herein. Further,while two antenna subarrays are shown in FIG. 3A, those skilled in theart will appreciate that the antenna array may be subdivided into anynumber of suitable subarrays of antenna elements, each of identical ordifferent geometrical shape.

FIG. 3B shows an antenna pattern 308 corresponding to the firstsub-array 304, and FIG. 3C shows an antenna pattern 310 corresponding tothe second sub-array 306, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe invention. The radiation patterns or antenna patterns 308 and 310are the graphical representation of the radiation properties of theantenna as a function of space in terms of “azimuth” and “elevation”. Inother words, the antenna's pattern describes how the antenna radiatesenergy out into space or how it receives energy. An azimuth planepattern is measured when the measurement is made traversing the entirex-y plane around the antenna under test. An elevation plane is then aplane orthogonal to the x-y plane, (e.g. φ=90 deg). The elevation planepattern is made traversing the entire y-z plane around the antenna undertest.

More generally, in methods disclosed herein, antenna elements include aphysical body, and each physical body may be equipped with multipleterminals. As such antenna terminals may be separately excited, then aphysical antenna can result in multiple “effective antenna” elementsthat share the same physical antenna structure. FIG. 3D depicts a patchantenna constructing a circular polarized antenna. In this case, asingle physical antenna has created a single effective antenna. FIG. 3Edepicts a patch antenna, wherein a single physical antenna has createdtwo effective antenna. FIG. 3F depicts a patch antenna, wherein a singlephysical antenna has created four effective antenna. In explaining themethods of one or more embodiments, the word “effective antenna element”and “antenna element” are interchangeably used, where there are nochances of confusion. Note that FIGS. 3D, 3E, and 3F are depicted torepresent receive mode, but it would be clear to those skilled in theart that a similar structure would be applicable for transmit mode.

In methods disclosed herein, the operation of antenna beamforming isrealized by using a hierarchy to gradually form a weighted sum ofsignals corresponding to the available effective antenna elements. Toexplain the concept, an example, in which the hierarchy is composed oftwo stages, will be provided next. In a first stage of the weightinghierarchy, antenna beamforming is performed by applying an adjustablephase shift, possibly plus a constant gain factor, to the signal fromeach effective antenna element. Then, the set of effective antennaelements are partitioned into some subsets, and the RF signals from theeffective antenna elements within each subset are combined to obtain aset of combined RF signals. Then, in the second stage of the weightinghierarchy, a complex gain is applied to each such combined RF signal,and finally the results are combined once again.

To reduce the complexity, in the methods disclosed herein, some of theweight factors are realized in the form of a change in the phase, andsome are realized in the form of changing both phase and magnitude(complex multiplication). To further reduce the complexity, the methodused for weighting differs in different stages of the weightinghierarchy. FIG. 3G and FIG. 3H show two examples. In FIG. 3G, eachphysical antenna forms two effective antenna corresponding to itsvertical polarization and its horizontal polarization. This divides theset of effective antenna into two subsets, one corresponding to allvertical polarizations and the other one corresponding to all horizontalpolarizations. The signals from antenna terminals in the first subset,which includes all vertical polarizations, are combined in the RFdomain, and likewise, signals from antenna terminals in the secondsubset, which includes all horizontal polarizations, are combined in theRF domain. In the next stage of the hierarchy, these two signals shouldbe weighted and combined once again, in order to complete the weightedsum. In methods of one or more embodiments, this operation is performedin at least two different manners, shown in FIG. 3G and FIG. 3H,respectively.

In FIG. 3G, the RF signal obtained by combining vertical polarizationsis passed through a complex multiplication in the RF domain, andlikewise, the RF signal obtained by combining horizontal polarizationsis passed through a complex multiplication in the RF domain, and thenthe results are combined in the RF and the final outcome is brought tobase-band. Complex multiplication in the RF domain may be implemented,for example, using an RF vector modulator. On the other hand, in FIG.3H, the RF signal obtained by combining vertical polarizations and theRF signal obtained by combining horizontal polarizations are separatelybrought to base-band and the final stage of the hierarchy in forming theweighted sum is performed in the base-band using digital numbers.

In some other embodiments, including the embodiments described here forthe purpose of finding the direction of the satellite movement, thegrouping of the antenna elements is more sophisticated, wherein,grouping of the antenna elements into subsets is performed by dividingthe array into a number of sub-arrays, and dividing the antenna elementsaccordingly. It will be clear to individuals skilled in the art that theaforementioned grouping mechanisms, one based on the polarizations andthe other one based on dividing the array into subarrays, may becombined, and accordingly the number of stages in the weightinghierarchy increases.

In some embodiments, the effective antenna corresponding to verticalpolarization and the effective antenna corresponding to horizontalpolarization, are each equipped with their own phase shifter, but toreduce the complexity, the two phase shifters are controlled with ashared set of control lines. This means, the phase selected for theeffective antenna corresponding to vertical polarization in a physicalantenna and the phase selected for the effective antenna correspondingto horizontal polarization in the same physical antenna will be thesame.

One or more embodiments are based on realizing, and benefiting from, thefollowing features and abilities:

First Feature: The ability to separately observe the combined signalcorresponding to different “subsets of effective antenna” prior tocombining these signal in the next stage of the weighted sum hierarchy,wherein, to observe the combined signal corresponding to each “subsetsof effective antenna”, typically, the corresponding combined signal isbrought to base-band and measurements are performed in the base-band.

Second Feature: The ability to separately select the weightscorresponding to different “subsets of effective antenna” prior tocombining them, wherein, separate selection of the weight correspondingto each “subsets of effective antenna” may be performed: (1) in the RFdomain using complex multiplication, for example using a vectormodulator for each multiplication operation, or (2) in base-band byseparately bringing each combined signal, corresponding to each of the“subsets of effective antenna,” to base-band.

In one or more embodiments, the first feature is deployed to: (1) Detectthe direction of the movement of the satellite with respect to theterminal. (2) Detect the direction from the terminal to a secondsatellite, while maintaining the connection to a first satellite, forthe purpose of conducting soft or hard hand-off (make before break). (3)Detect direction to an interfering satellite, while maintaining theconnection to a desired satellite.

In one or more embodiments, the second feature is deployed to: (1)Decide to support a RHC polarization vs. a LHC polarization afterleaving the factory floor. (2) Simultaneously listen to a RHCpolarization signal and to a separate LHC polarization signal. (3)Perform Maximum Ratio Combining (MRC) by adjusting the weightscorresponding to different combined signals from different subsets ofeffective antenna in order to improve the signal to noise ratio. (4)Perform nulling an interfering satellite by adjusting the weightscorresponding to different combined signals from different subsets ofeffective antenna, while at the same time improving the signal to noiseratio to a desired satellite. (5) Improving isolation between LHC andRHC polarizations. (6) Perform Maximum Ratio Combining (MRC), instead ofequal gain combining used in prior art in dealing with circularpolarizations, by adjusting the weight corresponding to the subsetformed from vertical polarizations vs. the weight corresponding to thesubset formed from horizontal polarizations.

In one or more embodiments, the sub-arrays 304 and 306 are used todetermine the exact location of a satellite within a solid angle ofambiguity 410, as illustrated in FIGS. 4-6B, where FIGS. 4 and 5 aredescribed within the context of the flow chart shown in FIG. 6A and theillustration of FIG. 6B below.

FIG. 6A is a flowchart that describes the steps for determining theexact location of a satellite within a solid angle of ambiguity inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. In step 600,an approximate location of the satellite is determined, for exampleusing GPS-assisted location finding, and then the exact satellitelocation is determined by forming two virtual patterns at a receivebase-band as described in next steps. FIG. 4 illustrates determinationof a first virtual pattern 408 in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the invention. In step 602, a first elevation and a firstazimuth of coordinates of the approximate satellite location areselected in a first weighing function 402 F(elevation, azimuth), asshown in FIG. 4. In step 604, the first virtual pattern 408 is formedwith a wide angle and a constant gain within the solid angle ofambiguity 410 using the first weighing function 402. In other words, thefirst virtual pattern 408 is a function of the antenna pattern 308corresponding to the first sub-array 304, the antenna pattern 310corresponding to the second sub-array 306, and the first weighingfunction 402.

FIG. 5 illustrates determination of a second virtual pattern 508 inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. Continuingwith the flow chart, in step 606, a second elevation and a secondazimuth of coordinates of the approximate satellite location areselected in a second weighing function 502 G(elevation, azimuth), asshown in FIG. 5. In step 608, the second virtual pattern 508 is formedwith a high degree of variations in phase and magnitude over the solidangle of ambiguity 410 using the second weighing function 502. In otherwords, the second virtual pattern 508 is a function of the antennapattern 308 corresponding to the first sub-array 304, the antennapattern 310 corresponding to the second sub-array 306, and the secondweighing function 502. In step 610, the second virtual pattern 508 isnormalized with respect to the first virtual pattern 408 to determinethe exact satellite location within the solid angle of ambiguity 410using a lookup table.

FIG. 6B shows an example of a lookup table 650 used for detecting theangle of incident signals in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe invention. In one or more embodiments, a grid is formed over thesolid angle of ambiguity 410 and for each point of the grid, the complexgain of the second virtual pattern 508 (after being normalized withrespect to the corresponding point of the first virtual pattern 408) ispre-computed and stored as an indicator specifying the particular pointin the grid. In resolving the ambiguity in the satellite location, thetwo virtual patterns 408 and 508 are formed, the second virtual pattern508 is normalized with respect to the first virtual pattern 408, andthen the result is used to identify the relevant entry in the pre-storedtable. Each entry in the lookup table 650 corresponds to a point in thegrid covering the solid angle of ambiguity 410, and accordingly providesa more accurate estimate of the satellite actual location within theoriginal solid angle of ambiguity 410.

In one or more embodiments, the sub-arrays 304 and 306 are used to tracka moving satellite. FIG. 6C is a flowchart that describes the steps fortracking a moving satellite in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the invention. In step 652, a location of the moving satellite isestimated. In some embodiment, first an approximate location for thesatellite is computed using GPS-assisted measurements. Then, theestimate for the location of the satellite is improved using the methodexplained in steps 600-610 in FIG. 6A above. In step 654, the estimationof the location is further improved by combining a first signal from thefirst sub-array and a second signal from the second sub-array andapplying a weight factor, based on the estimated location of the movingsatellite, to obtain a null at the estimated location. In step 656, amagnitude of the combined signal at a position of the null is measured.In step 658, the measured magnitude is normalized with respect to anormalization pattern using the method explained in steps 600-610 inFIG. 6A above. In step 660, small deviations in the satellite positionare mapped with respect to the position of the null to large variationsin the measured magnitude of the combined signal to improve the locationof the moving satellite. This is due to the fact that the signalmagnitude will have a large gradient around the null and moving awayfrom the center of the null. This measurement enables the tracker tofine tune the finding of the satellite position. In step 662, steps652-660 continue in a recursive/iterative manner, each time continuingfrom the point found in the earlier round and generating a null at itslocation. It should be noted that all these computations and creation ofnulls and following their positions are performed while the antenna beamis pointing to the satellite and continues receiving signal. All otheroperations are conducted in parallel using readings from the twosub-arrays and performing mathematical operations over the same numbersover and over (as one iteratively fine-tunes the estimate of thesatellite location).

It is to be understood that, one or more of the steps shown in theflowcharts of FIG. 6A, 6C, etc., may be omitted, repeated, and/orperformed in a different order than the order shown. Accordingly, thescope of the invention should not be considered limited to the specificarrangement of steps shown in the flowchart.

The following use case scenarios are intended to provide examples ofpossible applications of the antenna with two or more sub-arrays in thesatellite communication system, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the invention. The use case scenarios are forillustrative purposes only, and the satellite communication terminal andsatellite communication system is not limited to the applicationsdiscussed below.

In one or more embodiments, the antenna with two or more sub-arrays issoft hand-off involving an outgoing satellite and an incoming satellite,as illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B. FIGS. 7A-7B further show examples inwhich a satellite 702 is connected using both beams 706 and 708 pointingto the direction of the satellite 702. At this point in time, thesatellite 702 is connected to the terminal using an entire antenna array302. Gradually, the satellite 702 reaches a point where it will soonleave the area with line-of-sight connection to a terminal. At thispoint, the terminal divides its two beams 706 and 708 between theoutgoing satellite 702 and the incoming satellites 710 wherein thesignals received from the two satellites will be combined in base-band.This is analogous to soft hand-off used in cellular networks. Theintention is to provide a smooth transition (without interruption inservice) when disconnecting from one satellite and connecting to anotherone.

In one or more embodiments, the beam 708 is an auxiliary sub-arraycomposed of a very small number of antenna elements 301, placed withinthe main antenna array 302, to find the next satellite 710. Theseauxiliary antenna 708 would listen to a sync signal, or some other formof pilot, sent as part of the satellite signaling, and use it to findthe next satellite 710.

In one or more embodiments, the auxiliary antennas 708 are placed in amanner that would improve the search accuracy with a small complexity.Geometrical symmetries result in making the correct direction with someof its symmetrical images, same phenomenon that causes side-lobes (forexample, an elevation angle may be mistaken for same angle plus 90degrees). FIGS. 7C-7D further show non-uniform and clustered structurefor an auxiliary sub-array in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe invention. In some embodiments, the small number of antennas 301 aredistributed in a non-uniform manner 720 throughout the antenna surfaceof the auxiliary sub-array 708, which in a sense enables non-uniformspatial sampling of the antenna aperture, as illustrated in FIG. 7C.

In some other embodiments, the small number of antennas 301 aredistributed in a clustered structure 730 for the auxiliary sub-array708, as illustrated in FIG. 7D. In one or more embodiments, a complexsignal received by each antenna is read and the combination of suchsignals are used as a vector V. The resulting vector V is then used asan argument of a function ƒ(V) that maps the vector to the satellitedirection, for example, use the lookup table 650 for the function ƒ(.)and quantize the vector to point to entries within the table. Thefunction ƒ(.) indeed specifies what the beam for the main array 302should be to switch to the second satellite 710.

In one or more embodiments, the antenna with two or more sub-arrays isused for an interference reduction. In this configuration, the twosub-arrays receive a desired signal from a satellite and an interferencesignal from another satellite. The two sub-arrays may be designed in amanner that the channel matrix for two transmitting satellites and tworeceiving sub-arrays are, with a high probability, non-singular (is asfar as possible from being singular). This property allows to combinethe two base-band signals at the receiving end (to subtract theinterference terms measured by the two sub-arrays) such that theresulting signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR) is maximized.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the maximization of SINRincludes provision for Maximum Ratio Combining (MRC), wherein thesignals from the sub-arrays are combined with relative gain and phaseshift in order to maximize the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) in cases thatthere are no interfering satellite. In general, the relative weightingused in SINR maximization provides the optimum tradeoff betweenmaximizing the desired signal, and minimizing the noise plusinterference such that the ratio of the power of the received signal tothe power of the overall noise, including thermal noise andinterference, is maximized.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart describing methods for managing a satellitecommunication terminal in a field environment, in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the invention. The method may be used, for example,to establish a network in a field environment that lacks infrastructureto connect a user or a device to an external network (e.g., theinternet, a cloud computing platform, devices located outside of thefield environment). The method may be repeated or expanded to supportmultiple devices, multiple users, and/or multiple networks within thefield environment.

It is to be understood that, one or more of the steps shown in theflowchart may be omitted, repeated, and/or performed in a differentorder than the order shown. Accordingly, the scope of the inventionshould not be considered limited to the specific arrangement of stepsshown in the flowchart.

In Step 800, a broadband link is created between a satellitecommunication terminal and a device in the field environment. The devicemay be a monitored asset, a monitoring device, a monitoring system, anaccess point, a drone, a hub, other sensors, a peripheral sensor, alocal sensor, a smartphone, a laptop, but is not particularly limited tothese devices. As described above, the broadband link may be a wired orwireless connection between the device and the satellite communicationterminal. Furthermore, an optional intervening device (e.g., a hub or anaccess point) may facilitate the broadband link between the device andthe satellite communication terminal. For example, the interveningdevice may extend the range of the broadband link, boost signals,route/switch signals, or otherwise facilitate the broadband linkconnecting the satellite communication terminal and the device.

In Step 802, data is exchanged between the satellite communicationterminal and the device over the broadband link. Data may be monitoringdata, environmental data, networking data, flight/telemetry data, sensordata, voice/text/video data, electronic documents, or user input data,but is not particularly limited to these types of data. Furthermore,other data (i.e., data not associated with the field environment ordevices in the field environment) may be exchanged. As discussed above,the exchange of data may be filtered or prioritized based on theauthorization of the device or the user of the device. Exchange of thedata between the satellite communication terminal and the device may becontinuous, periodic, intermittent, scheduled, or triggered by an event(e.g., user interaction, environmental trigger, internal trigger). Thedata may be buffered by the device, the satellite communicationterminal, or an intervening device.

In Step 804, a satellite backhaul link is created between the satellitecommunication terminal and a satellite in orbit. As discussed above, thesatellite interface manages communications over the satellite backhaullink. The satellite may be one or more satellites in one or moregeostationary orbits. Alternatively, the satellite may be one or moresatellites in one or more non-geostationary orbits.

In Step 806, data is exchanged between the satellite communicationterminal and the satellite over the satellite backhaul link. Asdiscussed above, the exchange of data may be filtered or prioritizedbased on the authorization of the device or the user of the device.Exchange of the data between the satellite communication terminal andthe satellite may be continuous, periodic, intermittent, scheduled, ortriggered by an event (e.g., user interaction, environmental trigger,internal trigger). The data may be buffered by the satellitecommunication terminal or the satellite.

In Step 808, broadband services are performed on the data exchanged overthe broadband link and the satellite backhaul link with the satellitecommunication terminal. Generally, broadband services are services thatcontrol and manage communications between connected devices in anetwork. For example, the satellite communication terminal may beconnected to one or more local networks comprising the device andsecondary devices in the field environment. Alternatively, the satellitecommunication terminal may be connected to one or more external networkscomprising secondary devices outside of the field environment (e.g.,connected via the satellite backhaul link, internet, or cloud platform).

In Step 810, the satellite communication terminal determines whether thesatellite is in a geostationary orbit or a non-geostationary orbit.

When the determination in Step 810 is YES (i.e., the satellite is in ageostationary orbit), managing the satellite backhaul link continueswith Step 812.

In Step 812, the satellite communication terminal maintains a beamdirection of the satellite antenna within a predetermined angular rangeof the geostationary satellite to maintain the satellite backhaul link.The predetermined range may be determined by a minimum signal strength,characteristics of the satellite or satellite antenna, or relativeposition of the satellite communication terminal, but is not limited tothese factors.

As discussed above, in one or more embodiments, the satellite antennamay have a fixed beam direction with respect to the spatial orientationof the satellite antenna that require a user to orient the satelliteantenna within the predetermined angular range. Alternatively, the beamdirection of the satellite antenna may be steered (e.g., beam-forming)without changing the orientation of the satellite antenna.

The user may be provided instructions to optimally orient the satelliteantenna with respect to one or more geostationary satellites. Forexample, the satellite communication terminal may calculate the optimalorientation for the satellite antenna based on the location informationprovided by the GPS interface of the satellite communication terminaland the known coordinates of the one or more geostationary satellites.Furthermore, the satellite communication terminal may use one or moresensing devices (e.g., accelerometer or magnetometer) to acquire sensorinformation to determine the relative orientation of the satelliteantenna.

In one or more embodiments, the sensing device may be a signal strengthprocessor or detector that monitors the signal strength of the satellitebackhaul link to determine whether the beam direction falls within thepredetermined angular range of a geostationary satellites. For example,the received signal strength indicator (RSSI), the estimatedsignal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the bit rate error, the packet error rate,or any other appropriate signal derived estimate of signal quality of areceived satellite signal may be used to calculate the satellite antennaorientation. The instructions may be provided to the user via asmartphone application or an indicator on the satellite communicationterminal.

When the determination in Step 810 is NO (i.e., the satellite is in anon-geostationary orbit), managing the satellite backhaul link continueswith Step 814.

In Step 814, the satellite communication terminal steers the beamdirection of the satellite antenna to track the non-geostationarysatellite (e.g., maintain the beam direction within a predeterminedangular range of the non-geostationary satellite) to maintain thesatellite backhaul link. The predetermined range may be determined by aminimum signal strength, characteristics of the satellite or satelliteantenna, or relative position of the satellite communication terminal,but is not necessarily limited to these factors.

Because a non-geostationary satellite moves across the sky, thesatellite communication terminal has a limited window of connectivitywith a single non-geostationary satellite before it is obscured by thehorizon (e.g., 10-15 minutes for Low Earth Orbit satellites). Inaccordance with one or more embodiments, the satellite communicationterminal must coordinate between a plurality of non-geostationarysatellites to maintain the satellite backhaul link. The satellitecommunication terminal steers the beam direction of the satelliteantenna to track a first non-geostationary satellite and switch to asecond non-geostationary satellite to maintain the satellite backhaullink. Concurrently, the satellite interface manages hand-off ofcommunications between the first and the second non-geostationarysatellite. The tracking and hand-off procedure may be repeated multipletimes among any given number of non-geostationary satellites to maintainthe satellite backhaul link. Those having ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the tracking and hand-off procedure may also apply toany given number of geostationary satellites in accordance with Step812.

In one or more embodiments, a processor of the satellite communicationterminal may control the beam direction by physically reorienting thesatellite antenna (e.g., actuators). In one or more embodiments, theprocessor may control the beam direction by internally manipulating thebeam profile of the satellite antenna (i.e., beam-forming).Alternatively, as discussed above with respect to FIG. 2D, the processormay control the beam direction by switching between one or more of aplurality of antenna elements within the satellite antenna.

The processor may calculate the optimal orientation for the satelliteantenna or the beam direction of the satellite based on the locationinformation provided by the GPS interface of the satellite communicationterminal and the known coordinates of the one or more non-geostationarysatellites. Furthermore, the processor may use sensor information fromone or more sensing devices (e.g., accelerometer or magnetometer) tocontrol the relative orientation of the satellite antenna and/or thebeam direction.

In one or more embodiments, the sensing device may be a signal strengthprocessor or detector that monitors the signal strength of the satellitebackhaul link to determine whether the beam direction falls within thepredetermined angular range of the one or more non-geo stationarysatellites. For example, the received signal strength indicator (RSSI),the estimated signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the bit rate error, thepacket error rate, or any other appropriate signal derived estimate ofsignal quality of a received satellite signal may be used to calculatethe satellite antenna orientation. The instructions may be provided tothe user via a smartphone application or an indicator on the satellitecommunication terminal.

In Step 816, the user of the device is provided access to the exchangeddata via a processing platform. As discussed above, data is madeavailable to the user of the device via the processing platform sharedbetween the satellite communication terminal and a cloud platform (i.e.,the cloud). The user may access the data using any type of computingdevice that is capable of interfacing with the processing platform.Alerts may be provided to the user under certain configurableconditions. For example, an alert may be provided if an authorization orlevel of service associated with a device or user has been changed orexceeded.

FIG. 9 shows a computing system in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the invention. Embodiments of the invention may beimplemented on a computing system. Any combination of mobile, desktop,server, embedded, or other types of hardware may be used. For example,as shown in FIG. 9, the computing system 900 may include one or morecomputer processor(s) 902, associated memory 904 (e.g., random accessmemory (RAM), cache memory, flash memory, etc.), one or more storagedevice(s) 906 (e.g., a hard disk, an optical drive such as a compactdisk (CD) drive or digital versatile disk (DVD) drive, a flash memorystick, etc.), and numerous other elements and functionalities. Thecomputer processor(s) 902 may be an integrated circuit for processinginstructions. For example, the computer processor(s) may be one or morecores, or micro-cores of a processor. The computing system 900 may alsoinclude one or more input device(s) 910, such as a touchscreen,keyboard, mouse, microphone, touchpad, electronic pen, or any other typeof input device. Further, the computing system 900 may include one ormore output device(s) 908, such as a screen (e.g., a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a plasma display, touchscreen, cathode ray tube (CRT)monitor, projector, or other display device), a printer, externalstorage, or any other output device. One or more of the output device(s)may be the same or different from the input device(s). The computingsystem 900 may be connected to a network 912 (e.g., a local area network(LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, mobile network,or any other type of network) via a network interface connection (notshown). The input and output device(s) may be locally or remotely (e.g.,via the network 912) connected to the computer processor(s) 902, memory904, and storage device(s) 906. Many different types of computingsystems exist, and the aforementioned input and output device(s) maytake other forms.

Software instructions in the form of computer readable program code toperform embodiments of the invention may be stored, in whole or in part,temporarily or permanently, on a non-transitory computer readable mediumsuch as a CD, DVD, storage device, a diskette, a tape, flash memory,physical memory, or any other computer readable storage medium.Specifically, the software instructions may correspond to computerreadable program code that, when executed by a processor(s), isconfigured to perform embodiments of the invention.

Further, one or more elements of the aforementioned computing system 900may be located at a remote location and connected to the other elementsover a network 912. Further, embodiments of the invention may beimplemented on a distributed system having a plurality of nodes, whereeach portion of the invention may be located on a different node withinthe distributed system. In one embodiment of the invention, the nodecorresponds to a distinct computing device. Alternatively, the node maycorrespond to a computer processor with associated physical memory. Thenode may alternatively correspond to a computer processor or micro-coreof a computer processor with shared memory and/or resources.

Various embodiments of the invention have one or more of the followingadvantages. Embodiments of the invention enable an independentcommunication network (e.g., peer-to-peer “P2P” or full external networkconnection) to be setup with a single satellite communication terminal(i.e., a communication system in a box). The coverage provided by thesatellite communication terminal is scalable (e.g., from small spaces totens of thousands of acres) with the use of additional interveningdevices (e.g., hubs and access points). The number of devices accessingthe satellite communication terminal is scalable (e.g., from a fewdevices to hundreds or thousands of devices) with the use of additionalintervening devices. The field environment may comprise an indoorenvironment, an outdoor environment, or mixed environments. In one ormore embodiments, the satellite communication terminal may operate onbattery and/or solar power, with no access to the power grid and underhostile conditions including, but not limited to broad temperatureranges, wind, rain, dust, insects and mechanical stress. In one or moreembodiments, the satellite communication terminal may operate inenvironments that offer wired, wireless or no broadband Internet access.

The following use case scenarios are intended to provide examples ofpossible applications of the satellite communication system, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. The use casescenarios are for illustrative purposes only, and the satellitecommunication terminal and satellite communication system is not limitedto the applications discussed below.

Use Case I: Remote Location

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the field environment maybe a remote location without no accessible communication infrastructure(e.g., remote wilderness or a foreign country with an incompatiblecommunication network). The satellite communication terminal may be usedto establish a local network to facilitate communication betweenpersonnel and equipment within the field environment and/or to establishcommunication with other networks around the world.

Use Case II: Maritime Field Environment

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the field environment maybe an ocean going vessel (e.g., an off-shore drilling rig, a cargocontainer, or cruise ship) without no externally accessiblecommunication infrastructure (e.g., no cellular network at sea). Thesatellite communication terminal may be used to establish a localnetwork to facilitate communication between personnel and equipmentwithin the field environment and/or to establish communication withother external networks around the world.

For example, on a container ship, a satellite communication terminal mayestablish broadband links with laptops operated by crew members andmonitoring devices attached to cargo containers. The local networkmaintained by the satellite communication terminal on the container shipmay allow the crew members, with proper authorization, communicate witheach other via broadband link or access information from the monitoringdevices via IoT link. The satellite communication terminal may allowpersonnel on land, with proper authorization, access to information fromthe monitoring device via IoT link by connecting through the satellitebackhaul link to the satellite communication terminal. Further, thesatellite communication terminal may allow the crew members to conducttelephone calls, via broadband link and the satellite backhaul link,with the personnel on land. When the container ship approaches a portand enters the coverage area of an external network (e.g., externalcellular network or wired connection in port), the satellitecommunication terminal may seamless handoff the telephone call (or otherappropriate data service) to the external network.

Use Case III. S.O.S. Emergency Network

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the field environment maybe a disaster or emergency site with a damaged or unreliablecommunication network. The satellite communication terminal may be usedto establish a local network to facilitate communication betweenpersonnel and equipment within the field environment and/or to establishcommunication with a logistics or humanitarian support network.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a limitednumber of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of thisdisclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised thatdo not depart from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope ofthe invention should be limited only by the attached claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An antenna array system, comprising: a pluralityof antenna elements arranged in an antenna array in a geometric shape; afirst sub-array that forms an interior of the antenna array; and asecond sub-array that forms an exterior of the antenna array, whereinthe first sub-array is a subset of the second sub-array, wherein anumber of antenna elements in the first sub-array is greater than anumber of antenna elements in the second sub-array, and wherein theantenna array system is used to perform a soft hand-off between anoutgoing satellite leaving an area with line-of-sight connection to theantenna array system and an incoming satellite entering the area withline-of-sight connection to the antenna array system.
 2. The antennaarray system according to claim 1, wherein the first sub-array and thesecond sub-array have identical geometric shapes.
 3. The antenna arraysystem according to claim 1, wherein the first sub-array and the secondsub-array have different geometric shapes.
 4. The antenna array systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the plurality of antenna elements aredisposed in the first sub-array and the second sub-array as circle,triangle, elliptical, or like geometrical shape.